After you've aced your interview, don’t just leave your fate in the hands of that final handshake – it’s the career equivalent of quitting a race before the finish line. Unless you’re offered the job on the spot, after-interview communication is a must: It helps you stay in the mind of your interviewers and sets you apart from the potential sea of applicants. To be effective, written communication is best sent within 24 hours following your interview.

Why It’s Important

Ontario image consultant and co-author of “My Style, My Way,” Teca Cameron-Tackie says sending a message to members of the interview panel allows you to formally thank them for their time and the opportunity to interview. “Practical Glamour” author Constance Dunn says “Post-interview follow-up communicates that the interviewer and the potential job matter enough for you to exert the energy needed to get in touch with them.”

It’s All in a Name

Before you leave your interview, gather names and titles of everyone you met with, along with mailing and email addresses. If you did not receive business cards, politely request that the receptionist provide this information for you to write down. If you are unable to do so, the company’s website or social media outlets such as Facebook and LinkedIn may be a good source for the information.

How to Send It

In her book “Learning the Ropes: The Insider's Guide to Winning at Work,” Camille Primm says a handwritten letter is the best option for follow up. It shows the employer you took time and care, whereas emails can be easily mass-produced with the copy and paste function. Dunn says when mailing a note, use high-quality stationery. Pre-compose your message on a piece of scrap paper to get a practice run on the content and a warm-up for your handwriting. Primm says email is better than no follow-up at all. Just be sure to use an email addresses that’s appropriate for business – we’re talking to you, MissKittyInTX.

What to Say

Cameron-Tackie says your message should remind your interviewer about your key skills and let them know that you are truly interested in the position. Dunn suggests including some favorable detail of your meeting to jog their memory and help them to remember you positively. Above all, keep your message brief, authentic and professional.

Phone Calls

Primm says a weekly follow-up call to check on the status of your application isn’t out of line, when done correctly. Ideally, you should leave a quick message saying you’re touching base on the status of the position, rather than requesting the interviewer call you back. She warns, “There’s a very fine line between being a pest and being persistent – don’t cross it!”

“Learning the Ropes: The Insider's Guide to Winning at Work”; Camille Primm

About the Author

Tricia Chaves began her writing career after working in advertising and promotions for entertainment publisher "The New Times." In 2005, she earned her real-estate salesperson license from the state of Ohio and certification for leasing and property management from the Northeast Ohio Apartment Association. She was certified as a life and weight-loss coach and master practitioner of neuro-linguistic programming in 2011.